Carrier



Feb. 3.192s. 1,524,846

-E. M. STAPLETON CARRIER Filed Dec. 5, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 3.. 1925. 1,524,846

-- E. M. STAPLETON CARRIER Filed Dec. 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WISSES ATTORNEYS Feb.-3. 1925.

1,524,846 E. M.-STAPLETON CARRIER FiledDec} 5, 1923 4'Sheets-Sheet 4 A T'TOR NE Y5 SSeS:

, PATENT OFFICE.

EARL M. STAPLE'I'ON, OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA.

' CARRIER.

Application filed December 5, 1923. Serial No. 678,702.

To all whom it'mag concern:

Be it known that I, EARL Ml STArLE'roN,

. a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Oklahoma City, in the county of Oklahoma and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful-Improvements in Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to carriers adapted for use on automobiles and other vehicles.

Briefly stated, an important object of this invention is to provide a carrier having novel means to receive and support cooking and eating equipment in such a manner that the equipment will not rattle or break, as a result of the movement of the vehicle over rough roads.

A further object is to provide a carrier wherein the end Walls of the same may .be swung to horizontal position to form tables at opposite sides of the vehicle, and which tables are formed with hollow compartments adapted to receive .such articles as knives,books, packages "and more or less fiat cooking utensils.

A further object is to provide a carrier of the-class specified which may be convenie'ntly applied to a motor vehicle, and which will not in any way mar the appear ance of the vehicle.

A further object is to pro-vide'a carrier for motor vehicles which is of highly simplified construction, durable in use, and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be ap-.

parent during the course of the following description. "In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this construction, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,-

Figure 1 is a perspective of the improved carrier applied and being in closedposition,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, parts being shown in section,

Figure 3 is a. perspective of the improved carrier in open position,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View through the improved carrier in its closed position, 4

Figure 5 isa. vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 66 of Figure 4,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of the carrier in open position, the view illustrating an ice-box embodied in the invention,

Figure 8- is a perspective illustrating the sections at one end of the carrier partly open to display the articles carried within the shallow compartments of the same.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan View illustrating a cook stove and the supporting means therefor. y

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a vehicle, the rear portion of which is provided with a plurality of brackets adapted for supporting a spare tire 7. Figure 1 illustrates that the arms or brackets 6 also support a platform 8 upon which a chest orcarrier 9 of rectangular formation is mounted. Suitable fastening devices may, of course, be employed for securing the carrier or chest in position and by way of illustration, in Figure 4-1 have illustrated fastening devices 10 tov secure the chest in position. l The sides and the top of the carrier'are closed while the ends of the carrier are provided with combined doors and tables 12 and 13 horizontally hinged at their lower ends as indicated at 15, tothe lower end of the carrier so that the same may be swung either to an upright position for use as doors, or swung in horizontal position for use as tables.

' Each combined door and table consists of a plurality of similarly constructed sections hingedly connected at their longitudinal edges as indicated at 18.

More specifically each door section is provided with side and end flanges 37 to which the hinges 18 are connected and with reference to Figures t and 8, it will be seen that the side and end flanges 37 define shallow compartments adapted for the receptionof VliLI'lOllS more or less fiat articles used in cooking and in touring. The articles may be held in place by clips 3 secured to the undersides of the several sections of the combined doors and tables. Such articles as a cook-book, a salt can, a match box, soap, a fiIStl21.ld kit, an ax, a butcher knife, a cake turner, a towel, or a can opener may be held in position by means of the clips and when in place the articles are securely and positively held against loss or against rattling.

Each section of each combined door and table is fastened and reinforced bymeans of a longitudinally extendin" tube 24, se-L when extended as illustrated in Figure 3 form an extremely rigidv table.

There are two sections of the combined doors and tables13 and these are designated by the numerals 19 and 20, .while the comblned door and table 12 consists of three sections designated by the numerals 20, 21

and 22, ,and it will-be seen that-the table 12 is somewhat greater in area than the table 13 to allow a comparatively large number of people to comfortably seat-themselves about the table. The sides of the Y several tables are entirely free except for supporting members 25 employed for securing-the table in horizontal position. The supporting members 25 may be of any char-- acter such as collapsible sectional braces,-

flexible chains, or one-piece. links, Prepanatory to swinging the several sections to upright position, the links, areof course,

collapsed and may be positionedin the carrier or in some of the shallow compartments of the several table sections as shown 'in Figure 8. This figure illustrates that one or more of the links 25 may be secured in an inoperative position by means of clips 26. Attention is directed to the fact th'atwhen the sections are swung to their closed position, the side and end flanges 37 swing into .edge'to edge contactto enclose the articles within the several compartments and thereby prevent the loss of the same. The doors are held in upright positions and the sections of the doors are prevented from swinging outwardly by locking 'arms 2 extended through openings-17 in the sections and engaged by locks 17 carried by the outermost sections. By. reason of-this construction' unauthorized access tothe several shallow compartments and the interior. of the carrier is prevented. It is thus seen that for each combined door and table a single lock is provided to hold the door in elevated position and to hold the several sections of each door in a closed position.

Figure 3 illustrates that when the door13' .above the shelf 31 may be occupied entirely by various article-containing receptacles and as illustrated Figure 4 collapsible stools 32 may be poslt oned in the carrier beneath fastenin longitudinal slots 34" in the bottom of the stove. The ends ofthe slots 34. are enlarged thepartition 31 along with certain article containers or cooking utensils. the space in the carrier from the door 13 to the upright partition 1 is occupied by various containers et cetera, so constructed and arranged. that norattling or more strainedmovement of the same is permitted.

Figure 9 illustrates that a stove 33 issecured to the section 20 of the door "13 by rivets 33' which extend through to permit of the passage of the heads of the rivetso'r fasteners 33- whereby the stove may be moved longitudinally of the section 20 or completely detached. Qf course it is desirable to move'the table 33 longitudinally of the section 20 when preparing to close Of course the -carrier.' A fuel container 36 .o'f any suitable character is connected to the stove 33 and may be detached when it is desired of the carrier is providedwith an ice-box 40 insulated by laminati'ons of fiber or suitable material -50 to efl'ectively exclude the heat of the sun and to permit the ice'43 tomaintain the contents of. the ice-box-in a chilled condition. The door 45 of the "icebox may be conveniently opened to expose'the con tents of the box and attention is directed -to the fact that when the door 1.2 is in its closed position access to the box is impossible. Also the sections of the door 12 provide effective;

insulation for the. front of the ice-box. However, it 'is important to note that the opening of the door 12 does not expose the contents ot the ice-box and thus-the contents of the box are maintained in the proper con dition at all times.

Figure .4 illustrates that a water-cooler 44 is arranged in the bottom of the ice-box and is provided with an upstanding branch 47 in which a quantity of Wateris'arranged. The water-cooler may be filled from time to time by means ofa funnel 42 connected to the upper end of the branch 47. It will be seen that the tube of 'the' funnel 42 is long enough to permit the funnel to-be arranged exteriorly of the ice-box when it is desired-to fill the water-cooler. --The water may be discharged from the watercooler by- .a spigot 46."

The ice 43 not only Keeps the water inthe water-cooler 44 cool, but also maintains'the' articles upon the trays i1 in a chilled condition.

In summarizing it will be seen that no collapsible legs or braces are employed to support the several tables from below, and

consequently, it'is not necessary .to stop the vehicle'npon level ground preparatory to opening the gdoors 12 and 13 for use as tables. Also the absence of legs supporting the table from below enables the carrier to be very compactly folded when not in use. The supporting members do not seriously interfere with thefree use of the several of people may gather aboutthe several tables.

In carrying out theinvention a washbasin 6() may be secured to the combined door and table 12 as indicated at 61. Of course the wash-basin 60 may be detached when it is desired to close the carrier.

lVith reference to the foregoing description, taken iniconnection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the.

doors 12 and 13 may be quickly swung to horizontal position for use as tables wlthout first loosening .straps, cords or the like,

and without first removing other articles. The members 12 and 13 may at any time be swung to horizontal position to completely expose the containers and to permit several compartments.

Also, a carrier constructed'in accordance with this invention may be applied to a vehicle without altering the construction of the same and without in any way marring the appearance of the vehicle, all of which contributes to the desirability of the carrier.

Particular attention is ,directed to Fig-- uresfl and 6 which illustrate that the edge portions of the combined closure and table section at the ends of the body are formed with beads which flatly contact with each other and which close the space betweenv the sections. Also, the inner section of each set of sections has itmajor portion snugly received within the body so'a comparatively tight fit isprovided between the sections and the body to render the touring chest dust proof and to preventv the same from rattling. This also provides a neat connection between the sections and the body of the chest.

Having thus described my what is claimed is:-

1. A chest for use in touring comprising a body having means whereby the same may be secured to an automobile a closure consisting of hingedly connected inner and outer sectio s having their edge portions formed wit flanges having beads adapted to flatly contactwith each other to close the space between the sections, the inner section and theassociated flanges being snugly received in said body to provide a close contact between the closure and the invention,

body, one of the sections being horizontally hinged to the body whereby thef sections .may be swung to horizontal position for tables, and a comparatively large number;

use; as atable.

2. A chest for use in tourin comprising a body having means whereby t e same'may be secured to an automobile, a closure con- 'sisting of lringedly connectedinrier and outer sections having their edge portions formed with flanges having beads adapted to-flatl contact with each other to closethe etween the sections, the inner secspace tion and the associated flanges being snugly received in said body to provide a close contact between the closure and the body, one of thelsections being horizontally hinged to the body whereby the sections may be J swung to' horizontal pos tion for use as a table, and a container in said body and .in-

sulated by the space between the sections when; in closed ,position.

3. A chest for use in touring comp-rising j a body having. means whereby the same may be secured to an automobile, a closure con sisting of hingedly connected inner and outer section's having their edge portions formed with flanges having beads adapted to flatly contact. with each other" to close the. space between thesections, the inner section "and the associated flanges being snugly .receivedin said body to provide ,a close contactbetween .the closure and the body, one of the sections being horizontally hinged to the body whereby the sections may be swung to horizontal position for-use as a'table, and acontainer in said body and insulated by the space between the sections when in closed position, and aclosure1for' said container located immediately, behind said sections and within saidbody.

41A carriercomprising a rectangular" body, doors horizontally hinged at their lower ends to said b.ody"for closing" the v same, consisting of a plurality of sections h'ingedly connected, said sections, being.

adapted to be swung to open position to form tables, flexible supports connectingthe sections to'saidcarrier, said sections having their ends andedges formed with flanges {defining shallow fastening means within said shallow; compartments to securely support articles- 5. A carrier for motor vehicles, compris inga platform adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle, a carrier of rectangular formation mounted on the platform and" compartments I adapted for the reception of articles, and

i .ception of articles, said compartments being closed when the door is closed by the adjacent sections.

- 6. A carrier for. motor vehicles, comprising a platform adapted for attachment to v a motor vehicle, a carrier of rectangular formation mounted on the platform. and having its ends provided with horizontally hinged doors, each of said doors consisting of a plurality of hingedly connected sections adapted'to be positioned horizontally to definetables and adapted to be folded together when the door is swung toclosed position, said sections being provided with shallow compartments adapted for the refceptionof articles, said compartments being closed when the door is closed by the ad-,

jacent sections, and a partition arranged in v the carrierand defining upper'andlower compartments adapted for rf eiving articles employed incookingh I 7 L- A carrier for motor vehicles,,,coinpris ing a platformadapted for attachment to a 'motor vehicle, a carrier of rectangular formation mounted on the platform' and having its, endsprovided with horizontally hinged doors, each-of said doors consisting of a plurality of hingedlyconnected sections' adapted to be positioned horizontally to define tables and adapted to be folded together when the door is swung to closed position, said sections being provided with shallow compartments adapted"--" for the reception of articles, said compartments being "closed when the dooris ,closedvby the adj a-- cent sections, a partition arranged in the carrier and defining upper and lower com-- having its ends provided with horizontally hinged doors, each of said doors consisting of a plurality ofhingedly connected sections'a d'apted to' be positioned horizontally to define tables and adapted to be folded toposition, said sections beingv provided. with shallowcompartments. adapted for the regether when the door. is swung to closed ception .of articles, said compartments be- I Ting. closed when the,'door is" closed by the.

ctions, a partition arranged in and defining upper and lower compartments adapted, for receiving articles 1 employed incooking, a cook s'tove fixed to motorvehicle, ar]- one of thelsections of one of said doors, and

an-ice: box; received -in'said carrier and ac-.

cessibleffromTone'fend ofthe same. 9. A carrier for'motor vehicles, comprising a-platform adaptedfor attachment to a formation the platform and partments adapte rrier i of rectangular masses having its ends provided with horizontally hinged doors, each of. said doors consisting of a plurality of hingedlyconnected sections adapted to be positioned horizontally to define tables and adapted to be folded together when the door is swung to closed position, said sections being provided with shallow compartments adapted for the reception of articles, said compartments being closed when the dooris closed by the adjacent sections, a partition arranged in the carrier a 'nd 'definin upper and lower comfor receiving articles employed in cooking, -a cook stove fixed to one of the sections .of one of said doors, an ice box received in said carrier and accessible from one end of the same, and a water cooler arranged in said ice box. 3 10. A chest for use in touring comprising abody-h'aving neans whereby the same may be secured to an automobile, the closure consisting of hingedly connected inner and outer sections having their edge portions formed with fiangesadapted to contact with each other to close the space between the sections, the inner section having its major portion snugly received in said body to provide aclose fit between the closure and the body, one of-the' sections being hinged to the body whereby the sect-ions may be swung .td horizontal position for use as a table',and means connected to the sections and to the body at a. point above the sections for supporting the sections'when in a horizontal position.

1 1. A carrier comprisi-ng'abody having its top and sides closed and having its ends provided with horizontally hinged doors adapted to be arrangedhorizontally to provide. tables, said doors being provided with I side and end flanges the abut-ting side flanges of the section being hingedly connected, and

strengthening and reinforcing tubes extending longitudinally of the sections between the sides of s the same and being securely connectedat their ends to the end flanges of the sections whereby to limit twisting of the sections. v

, .12. A carrier comprising a body having its top "and side closed and having its ends provided with horizontally hinge-d doors adapted to be arranged horizontally to provide tables, said doorsbeingprovided with side and end flanges, the abutting side flanges-of the section being hingedly connected, strengthening and reinforcing tubes closed sides and a closedtop, combined doors and tables horizontally hinged to the ends of the body and consisting of sections hingedly connected at their abutting edges, cerg't-ain of said sections being provided with openings, locking arms carried by said body and adapted to extend through said openings, .and locks carried by the. outermost sections and adapted for engagement with said locking arms, .said locks forming a means for holding the doorsin upright position and for holding the sections partly in contact with each other.

14. A carrier comprisingja body having closed sides and a closed top, combined doors and tables horizontally hinged to the ends of the body and consisting of sections hingedly connected at their abutting edges, certain of said sections-being provided with openings, locking arms carried by said body and adapted to extend through said openings, and locks carried by the outermost sections and adapted for engagement with said locking arms, said locks forming a. means for holding the doors in npright position and for holding the sections partly incontact with each other, said sections being provided with shallow article-receiving compartments.

15. A carrier comprising a body having one endopen, a combined door and table horizontally hinged to the carrier at the open end of the same and consisting of a plurality of sections hingedly connected attheir abutting longitudinal edges, said sections being provided with side and end flanges defining shallow article-receiving compartments, clipscarried by said sections for supporting articles within said compartments, the flanges of 'one section being adapted for edge to edge contact with the flanges of the other section when the door isjn closed position whereby the contents of the several compartments are concealed.

16. A carrier comprising a body having one end open, a combined door and table horizontally hinged to the carrier at the open end of the same and consisting of a plurality of-sections hingedlyconnected at their abutting longitudinal edges, said sections being provided with side and end flanges defining shallow artie'le receiving compartments, clips carried by said sections for supporting articles within said compartments, the flanges of one section being adapted for edgeto edge contact with the flanges of the other section when the door is in closed position whereby the contents I of the several compartments are concealed, .and a locking arm carried by said body and extending through. the inner sections of the door and having locking engagement with i the outermost section of the door to hold the 17. A carrier comprising a body having one end open, a combined door and table horizontally hinged to the carrier at .the

open end of the same and consistingof a plurality of sections hingedly connected at their abutting longitudinal edges, said sections being provided with side and end flanges defining shallow article-receiving compartments, clips carried by said sections for-supporting articles within said compartments, the flanges of one section being adapted for edge to edge contact with the flanges of the other section when the door is in closed position whereby the contents of the several compartments are concealed, a locking arm carried by said body and extending: through the inner sections of the door and having locking engagement with the outermost section of the door to hold the door in closed position and to hold the flanges of one section in edge to edge contact with. the flanges of the other section,

and means to support the combined door and table in a horizontal position.

18. A carrier of the class described comprising a body havlng an open end, anlcebox arranged in the open end of the carrier and having a door, and acombined door and tablev horizontally hinged at the open end of the carrier and consisting of a plurality of sections having side and end flanges adapted to be arranged in edge to edge contact to define an air space between the atmosphere and the ice box.

19. A carrier of the class described comprising a body having an open end, an icebox arranged in the open end of the carrier and having adoo-r, a combined door and imble horizontally hinged at the open end of the carrier consisting of a plurality of sections having side and end flanges adapted to be arranged in edge to edge contactto define an air space between the atmosphere and the ice box. and locking means to hold the sections of the second door in. closed position and thereby prcventaccess to the first named door.

' EARL M. STAPLETON. 

